Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Serhou Guirassy · Karim Adeyemi · Maximilian Beier · Pascal Groß · Daniel Svensson · Yan Couto · Felix Nmecha · Julian Ryerson · Waldemar Anton · Ramy Bensebaini · Gregor Kobel

Borussia Dortmund focuses on high pressing and quick transitions through a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack the opposition back line with pace and verticality. The goal is to stretch the defence and use wide players to create scoring chances through direct movement.

Gregor Kobel starts between the posts to command his area and act as a sweeper behind the back line. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini, and Julian Ryerson. Waldemar Anton acts as a ball playing centre back to help play out from the back, while Ramy Bensebaini and Julian Ryerson provide cover and strength to defend zonally. This trio works to stay compact and ensure they do not get caught out when the team pushes forward.

The midfield functions as a central engine room with a two man pairing of Pascal Groß and Felix Nmecha. Pascal Groß provides passing range to help recycle possession and find teammates in advanced positions. Felix Nmecha acts as the carrier to move the ball from deep to the attacking lines. On the flanks, Daniel Svensson and Yan Couto operate as wide midfielders who provide much needed width. These wide players must track back to support the back three while also being ready to push forward and support the attack.

Borussia Dortmund utilizes three attackers to pin the last defender. Serhou Guirassy operates as a physical presence up top to hold up the ball and link play. Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi act as inverted wingers who cut inside to threaten the goal. These forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. The combination of runs in behind from Karim Adeyemi and the ability of Serhou Guirassy to find space allows the team to attack in combinations during transitions.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to win it back high up the pitch. The wide presence of Yan Couto and Daniel Svensson allows for wide overloads when they overlap the wingers. This creates numerical superiority in the final third. Another strength is the speed of transition when the team wins the ball in the midfield.

This 3-4-3 formation creates a heavy pressing threat that can overwhelm opponents. It is best suited for matches against teams that try to build play slowly from the back.